Mortality from measles fell by 91% in Africa from 2000 to 2006

The number of deaths in Africa from measles fell from an estimated 396 000 in 2000 to 36 000 in 2006, a fall of 91%, says a progress report by the World Health Organization and Unicef. It attributes the decrease largely to better coverage in routine immunisation programmes and targeted campaigns to ensure that children had a second chance to be vaccinated.

“This is a major public health success and a tribute to the commitment of countries in the African region,” said Margaret Chan, director general of WHO.

“We need to sustain this success and intensify our efforts in other parts of the world, as there are still far too many lives lost to this disease,” she said.